Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers go toe to toe for Premier League striker

Stadium during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at the Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England on 12 March 2018. Picture by Graham Holt.

Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers are both still looking at bolstering their attacking options, and will go toe to toe for Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham, according to reliable journalist Alan Nixon.

Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers are keen on bringing in striker Connor Wickham from Premier League side Crystal Palace. The forward is in need of game time after spending nearly two seasons out of the game with a horrific cruciate ligament injury.

Both clubs have been in the market for attacking reinforcements throughout the Summer transfer window. Stoke signed Benik Afobe from Wolves in a shock deal, after Afobe re-joined Wolves just 11 days before. Rovers bought youngster Adam Armstrong from Newcastle United in a permanent deal, joining manager Tony Mowbray for the third time in his career.

Coming off the back of a hefty injury lay-off, Wickham will be keen to get some much needed game-time underneath his belt. The striker doesn’t boast the most prolific goal record, scoring 53 goals in 226 appearances, but can become a prolific goalscorer when he needs to.

In 2014, Sunderland were in desperate need of a goalscorer, and they were forced to recall Wickham from an unsuccessful loan spell at Leeds United. The striker scored five goals in April, steering the Black Cats away from relegation and picking up the Player of the Month award along the way.

The 25-year-old would provide a valuable second option for Stoke or Blackburn. Wickham is unlikely to jump straight back into the starting eleven anywhere after almost two years out, but standing at 6 ft 3 in, provides an alternative option off the bench.

The clubs have until the end of August to negotiate a loan deal, after the permanent window slammed shut three days ago.